Ok
Slowly getting there. With the limted info provided which would you find most interesting?

1. 2006 F430 with 6000 miles 2 owner and a new clutch.
2. 2006 F430 with 17000 miles 3 owner with ferrari certified. Clutch 50%
3 2006 F430 with 10,000 miles 3 owner. First owner was corporate 2nd & 3rd had it for 9 months.
4 2007 F430 with 16000 miles 3 owners.

Thoughts appreciated.

--thanks

Last edited by efg2014; 10-01-2014 at 11:23 AM.
Reason: Left info off.

Buy on condition, not miles, and you will be happy. So pick out the one in the best condition based on records and inspections and you cannot go wrong.

Otherwise buy the newest, lowest mile one you can afford if they are all in great condition. A new clutch helps, but begs the question of who could wear out an F430 twin plate clutch in 6000 miles? That takes talent. You just about have to drive backwards around San Francisco or Colorado to do that.

#2, if sold by a Ferrari dealer. The 17.000 miles are not a big deal, and the Ferrari certificate with a correct 2 years warranty should make you peaceful.
#1, new clutch means NEW, or 6.000 miles clutch ? If new, it should have been faulty, or intended a big track use. (are you sure it's a twin plate ? My Scaglietti is 2006 single plate).

Yes, your early 612 has a single plate clutch. Same one as my 575M. Sessantas and OTOs have the 599 twin plate clutch. The F430 clutch was updated to twin plates after some owners managed to wear the single plate clutches on their 360s pretty quickly. Much tougher than the 360 clutch, as is the 599 clutch fitted to late 612s, compared to the one we have.

Do not buy on numbers in an ad. Go and look at the cars and check service history. Don't buy with 50% clutch (why is it that low after only 17,000 miles????) unless you can get a new clutch in the deal.

Guys,
Thank you all for the beads of wisdom,it has been very helpful. I also hired Josh out of IAP Racing to provide me guidance. Keeping my fingers crossed, I should have a F430 in the next few weeks. I will put photos of it on the site.

Do not buy on numbers in an ad. Go and look at the cars and check service history. Don't buy with 50% clutch (why is it that low after only 17,000 miles????) unless you can get a new clutch in the deal.

New clutch ? Just ask a 2.000/3.000€ discount. Why give away a good clutch, especially if you do not use it in track.
Ferrari certified is good for any kind of problem, and this kind of car could have some (and very expensive to deal with).
For me (a non mechanical expert), first buy through a official seller with official warranty. After, look the car. Mileage is not relevant, they can do a lot of road. Less track use as you can. Search your preferred optional (oh yeah, it will be damn better drive your Ferrari without regretting anything). Go for it!
Aaaaaaand... Look for a 458, a little more expensive but a hell of a car, far beyond the 430. In the next year, with the new model, price should drop faster.